2008 Woodie Awards
Razorbacks want to use day off to their advantage
Matt Jones
Issue date: 3/12/08 Section: Sports
Entering the 2008 Southeastern Conference Tournament this week in Atlanta, the roles have reversed for Arkansas.
The Razorbacks (20-10) are the No. 2 seed in the SEC's western division and will have a bye in the tournament's first round Thursday for the first time since 2001.
Arkansas will go to Atlanta looking to build on a tradition it began last year, winning three games before falling to eventual national champion Florida in the league final. And while the Razorbacks would appear to have an easier road to the league championship game this season by having to play one less game, sophomore guard Patrick Beverley said it still comes down to winning.
"[Our mindsets] are no different," Beverley said. "We understand we still need to win basketball games. That's the key. If we win the SEC Tournament, we get an automatic bid."
The Razorbacks will face the winner of Thursday's 2:15 p.m., Central match-up between Vanderbilt and Auburn. Arkansas is 3-0 against the two teams this season, including a 77-64 win over Auburn Saturday in Fayetteville.
Senior forward Darian Townes said the Hogs will have to guard against revenge regardless of which team they face.
"It's vice versa of how it was last year," Townes said. "Last year when we made our run, we wanted our revenge…so I'm pretty sure they'll want the same thing. We're going to watch that [Vanderbilt-Auburn] game, and whoever we face I'm sure it will be a tough ride."
Arkansas used a late season run with wins over Mississippi State at home and at Vanderbilt last season to spark a run into the SEC Tournament. In Atlanta, the Razorbacks beat South Carolina, Vanderbilt and Mississippi State to advance to the tournament's championship game, before falling 77-56 to Florida.
Townes said the team can use the experience not playing in the first round to its advantage.
"We get an early start to check out the teams and see what they do," Townes said.
The Razorbacks (20-10) are the No. 2 seed in the SEC's western division and will have a bye in the tournament's first round Thursday for the first time since 2001.
Arkansas will go to Atlanta looking to build on a tradition it began last year, winning three games before falling to eventual national champion Florida in the league final. And while the Razorbacks would appear to have an easier road to the league championship game this season by having to play one less game, sophomore guard Patrick Beverley said it still comes down to winning.
"[Our mindsets] are no different," Beverley said. "We understand we still need to win basketball games. That's the key. If we win the SEC Tournament, we get an automatic bid."
The Razorbacks will face the winner of Thursday's 2:15 p.m., Central match-up between Vanderbilt and Auburn. Arkansas is 3-0 against the two teams this season, including a 77-64 win over Auburn Saturday in Fayetteville.
Senior forward Darian Townes said the Hogs will have to guard against revenge regardless of which team they face.
"It's vice versa of how it was last year," Townes said. "Last year when we made our run, we wanted our revenge…so I'm pretty sure they'll want the same thing. We're going to watch that [Vanderbilt-Auburn] game, and whoever we face I'm sure it will be a tough ride."
Arkansas used a late season run with wins over Mississippi State at home and at Vanderbilt last season to spark a run into the SEC Tournament. In Atlanta, the Razorbacks beat South Carolina, Vanderbilt and Mississippi State to advance to the tournament's championship game, before falling 77-56 to Florida.
Townes said the team can use the experience not playing in the first round to its advantage.
"We get an early start to check out the teams and see what they do," Townes said.
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